Picture Display Object

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to a picture display object, and an object of the invention is to display a painting and a photograph without storing them in the picture frame accompanied with a three-dimensional effect, which is more enhanced than the case where they are stored in a picture frame. An exposed portion of the surface is provided with a first layer made of a flat plate having an image of the painting or the photograph drawn thereon. By superposing on a part of the first layer, a second layer having the image of the painting or the photograph drawn on the exposed portion of the surface is provided. The second layer has a contour to conform to the contour of the physical object included in the painting or the photograph drawn therein, and is formed of a transparent flat plate whose peripheral edge portion is transparent.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a picture display object, and in particular, it relates to a picture display object suitable for adding a three-dimensional feeling to a photograph and a painting.

2. Background Art

Heretofore, a picture frame has been known as strengthening the impression received from a photograph and a painting. An excellent picture frame increases a three-dimensional feeling, a sense of balance, a color effect, and the like of the painting and the photograph. For example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-313507 discloses a picture frame capable of storing the photograph and the painting together with the related ornaments. According to such a picture frame, as compared with the case where the photograph and the painting are independently displayed, the decorative effect of the display object can be enhanced.

However, when a picture frame is used, restriction is imposed on the shape of the display object. Further, when the display object is stored into the picture frame, restriction is also imposed on a pleasure to touch the display object.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention has been carried out to solve the above described problem, and an object of the invention is to provide a picture display object capable of displaying a painting, a photograph, and the like without storing them in the picture frame accompanied with three-dimensional feeling more enhanced than the case where they are stored in the picture frame.

To achieve the above described object, a first aspect of the invention is a picture display object made of two or three transparent parallel layers having flat surfaces. The thickness of each layer is 2 mm or more. A part of the upper layer is scraped so as to form a three-dimensional structure on the adjacent under layer. An image of a painting, a photograph, and the like is printed on the surface of each layer. Alternatively, a sheet on which the image is printed is put on the surface of each layer.

Further, a second aspect of the invention is a picture display object including a first layer made of a flat plate having an image of a painting or a photograph provided on an exposed portion of the surface. The picture display object further including a second layer disposed over a part of the first layer. The second layer has the image of the painting or the photograph provided on the exposed portion of the surface thereof. The second layer has a contour conforming to at least a part of a contour of an object included in the painting or the photograph. The second layer is made of a transparent flat plate whose peripheral edge portion is transparent.

Further, a third aspect of the invention according to the second aspect of the invention includes a third layer disposed over the part of the second layer. The third layer has the image of the painting or the photograph provided on the exposed portion of the surface thereof. The third layer has a contour conforming to at least a part of a contour of an object included in the painting or the photograph. The third layer is made of a flat plate whose peripheral edge portion is transparent.

Further, a fourth aspect of the invention according to the second or the third aspect of the invention includes the first layer made of a transparent flat plate whose peripheral edge portion is transparent.

Further, a fifth aspect of the invention according to any one of the second to the fourth aspect of the invention defines the thickness of each layer as 2 mm or more and 5 mm or less.

Further, in a sixth aspect of the invention according to any one of the second to the fifth aspects of the invention, the image provided on each layer forms an unified composition as a whole. An object to be drawn at the distance in the unified composition is provided on a lower side layer, whereas an object to be drawn near is provided on an upper side layer.

The present invention can provide a display with an effect more enhanced than that of the picture frame without employing a picture frame. As a result, the present invention can broaden the expression of the painting, the photograph, and the like to an open manner such as touching, not only viewing, without restricted by the limitation of a picture frame.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a view showing a configuration of a picture display object of a first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a view representing in a plane manner an image drawn in the picture display object shown in FIG. 1; and

FIG. 3 is a view showing the configuration of the picture display object of a second embodiment of the present invention.

BEST MODE OF CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION First Embodiment [Configuration of First Embodiment]

FIG. 1 is a view for explaining the configuration of a first embodiment of the present invention. The picture display object according to the present embodiment has a multi-layer structure superposed on three layers of a transparent acryl plate of 3 mm in thickness. The surface of each layer has an image of a painting or a photograph drawn thereon. More specifically, the contour of each layer is cut in conformity with the contour of a physical object of an image drawn on each layer. Each layer has the image of the physical object having the same contour as those physical objects drawn thereon.

More specifically, the picture display object shown in FIG. 1 includes a first layer 10 formed of a circular flat plate. The surface of the first layer 10 has an image of the round setting sun drawn thereon. Since the first layer is formed of the transparent acryl plate, its peripheral edge portion 12 is transparent.

The upper layer of the first layer 10 is adhered with a second layer 14. The second layer 14 has two children drawn thereon. The second layer 14 is cut to a shape along the contours of those children. The second layer 14, similarly to the first layer 10, is formed of a transparent acryl plate of 3 mm in thickness. Hence, the surface of the second layer 14 is put into a state of being floated by 3 mm relative to the surface of the first layer 10 with the transparent peripheral edge portion 16 as a boundary.

The upper layer of the second layer 14 is adhered with a third layer 18. The third layer 18 has a dog drawn thereon. The contour of the third layer is cut along the contour of the dog. The third layer 18 is also formed of the transparent acryl flat plate of 3 mm in thickness similarly to the first layer 10 and the second layer 14. Hence, the peripheral edge portion 20 of the third layer 18 is also transparent. Further, the surface of the third layer 18 is put into a state of being floated by 3 mm relative to the surface of the second layer 14.

The images drawn on the first to the third layers 10, 14, and 18 are unified as a whole as a composition of “children sitting close against the setting sun and a dog playing beneath their feet”. Here, a step between the first layer 10 and the second layer 14 (step between the setting sun and the children) is formed at a position biased upward in the composition. On the other hand, the step between the second layer 14 and the third layer (step between the children and the dog) is formed at a position biased downward of the composition.

In FIG. 1, though the detail of the image drawn in each layer is omitted, in reality, the first to the third layers 10, 14, and 18 are drawn in detail with the setting sun, the children and the dog, respectively. To be more specific, for example, the second layer 14 and the third layer 18 are drawn in detail with the children and the dog on a spatially flat surface by a technique accompanied with perspective.

The picture display object of the present embodiment includes two stand plates 22. The stand plates 22 are fixed so as to nip the lower end of the second layer 14. The picture display object can stand on its own feet in a state supported by these stand plates 22.

[Comparison with Flat Surface Painting and the Like]

FIG. 2 shows a painting or a photograph 24 planarly representing the image drawn in the picture display object shown in FIG. 1. When the planar painting or the photograph 24 as shown in FIG. 2 is displayed without using a picture frame, it feels like planar and less represented. For example, when the planar painting and photograph are adhered on the transparent acryl plate, and are displayed in a state with no picture frame, the displayed object is liable to be plain and something missing.

When such planar painting and photograph are stored into the picture frame, a three-dimensional feeling is created, and a stable presence is generated. Such an effect due to the picture frame will be described below. It is known that the human brain performs parallel processing (reference literature 1: Unuma, H. & Tozawa, J. 1994, Perception of Illusory contour and spatio-temporal integration in the visual system, Japanese Psychological Research, 36, 3, 188-194). Further, as treated as binding (reference literature 1), to bind together the characteristics of the respective parts subjected to the parallel processing takes a considerable time.

In the parallel processing on the occasion of appreciating the display of the painting, a calculation result of the picture frame being a three-dimensional structure can be obtained in a short time as compared with the time required for processing the image of the planer painting as information. That is, the processing of the shade and shadow or the like used in the painting is performed through many stages of pattern recognition. In contrast to this, the structure of the picture frame actually having the step is processed by a special function of the brain such as binocular parallax, and its being a three-dimensional structure is promptly recognized.

During the execution of the parallel processing, the result of the processing promptly performed is transmitted to a region of the brain in which another processing is performed, thereby to promote the activation of that region. In other words, since the information that the picture frame is a three-dimensional structure is recognized in a short time, it is treated as the information regarding the painting for a relatively long time as compared with the information on the painting itself. As a result, the picture frame brings forth an effect of increasing the presence of the image of an exhibited object or strongly evoking a memory or an emotion accompanied with that memory. Although the effect of the picture frame is not limited to this alone, this is one of the dramatic effects.

When the painting or photograph 24 shown in FIG. 2 is put into the picture frame and displayed, as compared with a case of displaying it independently, the presence of the display object is enhanced, and its impression can be strengthened. However, by such a display technique, a strong three-dimensional feeling cannot be given to the painting and the photograph. Further, if the display object is to be put into the picture frame, the size and the contour of the display object are also limited.

As a technique for enhancing the three-dimensional feeling of the painting and the photograph, it is conceivable that, in addition to using the picture frame, for example, the physical object drawn in the painting and photograph is turned into a three-dimensional structure such as a miniature and a figure. That is, it is conceivable to express a three-dimensional structure by using a curved surface and a heap of layers. According to such a structure, it is easily understood that the images themselves of the painting and the photograph are of a three-dimensional structure, but the impression ends up becoming different from the original painting or photograph.

[Characteristics of Present Embodiment]

The picture display object of the present embodiment has a simple three-dimensional structure only in the part of the images of the painting and the photograph. Specifically, the three-dimensional structure is available only in a step portion between the first layer 10 and the second layer 14 and a step portion between the second layer 14 and the third layer 18. In this case, with respect to these step portions, the three-dimensional structure can be recognized in a short time by the function such as the binocular parallax. This recognition gives a three-dimensional feeling also to another portion planarly drawn, and gives a strong three-dimensional feeling to the whole of the painting and the photograph having a unified composition.

To be more in detail, in the picture display object shown in FIG. 1, the first to the third layers 10, 14, and 18 have sufficient thickness (3 mm) to be recognized as a solid, and are superposed so as to form a simple three-dimensional structure. Hence, at the portion where each layer is superposed, the three-dimensional structure is quickly recognized. On the other hand, though the images of the children and the dog drawn in each layer are planarly drawn, it is necessary to go through many stages of the pattern recognition when processing those images as information. Hence, when appreciating the picture display object of the present embodiment, many pieces of the information are processed as a solid inside the brain in the course of going through the recognition processing of the images planarly drawn in each layer. As a result, the three-dimensional feeling of the whole composition is increased, and the memory and impression evoked are increased.

Further, in the picture display object of the present embodiment, the contour of each layer has the same shape as the contour of the physical object drawn in each layer. Moreover, the peripheral edge portion of each layer, particularly the peripheral edge portions of the second layer 14 and the third layer 18 are transparent so that the step portion does not give a strong impression in the composition. The layer spatially located on this side has drawn thereon the physical objects (the children in front of the setting sun and the dog in front of the children) to be located on this side in the unified composition.

According to such a configuration, the step of each layer gives an appreciator the information matched with the contour of the individual physical object contained in the painting and the photograph and the spatial positional relationship of the individual physical object. Even in this point also, the picture display object of the present embodiment can give a strong three-dimensional feeling to the appreciator.

As described above, the picture display object of the present embodiment aims at allowing the processing of the three-dimensional recognition to be performed in a short time with respect to the part of the painting and the photograph having a unified composition, and increasing the time by which the information on the three dimensional structure is utilized for the processing of another portion. To achieve this object, a deep step is created between the flat surfaces forming each layer, and except for these steps, the three-dimensional structure is preferably excluded.

In the picture display object of the present embodiment, the step of 3 mm is secured between each layer, and this enables the appreciator to recognize the three-dimensional structure in a short time. According to this picture display object, not only the children are felt like floating against the setting sun, but as a whole, a spatial expansion and a temporal spread can be also felt.

Further, in consideration of the step between the first layer 10 and the second layer 14 being biased upward in the composition, the step between the second layer 14 and the third layer 18 is provided at a position biased downward in the composition. According to this configuration, when an initial observing point is directed toward the upper portion of the painting, the appreciator is allowed early to feel the three-dimensional feeling of the setting sun (the first layer 10) and the children (the second layer 14), and when the initial observing point is directed toward the bottom of the painting, the applicator is allowed early to have a feeling (three-dimensional feeling of the children and the dog) different from the previous feeling.

Now, in the above described first embodiment, though the peripheral edge portion of the first layer 10 which becomes the undermost layer can be formed transparent similarly to the peripheral edge portion of other layers, its configuration is not limited to this. That is, the peripheral edge portion of the first layer 10 may not necessarily be transparent because the impact given to the paining and the photograph is small.

Further, in the above described first embodiment, though each of the first to the third layers 10, 14, and 18 has a thickness of 3 mm, the thickness is not limited to this. That is, the first layer 10 may have an arbitrary thickness in the range capable of securing necessary rigidity, whereas the second and the third layers 14 and 18 can be set to an arbitrary thickness of 2 mm or more and 5 mm or less.

Further, in the above described first embodiment, though each of the first to the third layers 10, 14, and 18 has the images of the painting and the photograph drawn thereon, its technique is not limited to the technique of directly printing the image on the first to the third layers 10, 14, and 18. That is, the first to the third layers 10, 14, and 18 may be adhered with an already printed sheet which is cut so as to fit each contour.

Further, in the above described first embodiment, though the first to the third layers 10, 14, and 18 have images drawn thereon, which have an unified composition as a whole and are drawn by the technique accompanied with perspective, being drawn with the technique accompanied with perspective is not necessarily indispensable. That is, the first to the third layers 10, 14, and 18 may have the images drawn thereon with a composition having a sense of unity as a whole.

Further, in the above described first embodiment, though the contour of each layer is cut similarly to the contour of the physical object drawn in each layer, the present invention is not limited to this. That is, the contour of each layer may be conforming to at least one part thereof with the contour of the physical object drawn therein, and the complete superposing of the whole periphery of the contour with the contour of the physical object is not indispensable.

Second Embodiment

Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. 3. A picture display object of the present embodiment includes a first layer 30 and a second layer 32. The first layer 30 and the second layer 32 are formed of a transparent acryl plate of 3 mm in thickness, respectively. The peripheral edge portion of the first layer 30 and the peripheral edge portion of the second layer 32 are transparent similarly to the first embodiment.

The first layer 30 has drawn thereon an image of scenery which becomes a background of painting or photograph, here, an image of the sea dotted with sail boats by the technique accompanied with perspective. The second layer 32 has drawn thereon images of an aged man with a cane, a child, a dog, and the earth expanding beneath their feet, and moreover, a row of houses spreading in front of the aged man and others by the technique accompanied with perspective. The first layer 30 and the second layer 32 can stand on their own feet by being supported by two stand plates 34.

In the picture display object of the present embodiment also, similarly to the first embodiment, the first layer 30 and the second layer are given a thickness of 3 mm sufficient to be recognized as a solid. Hence, an appreciator can easily recognize a step between the first layer 30 and the second layer 32 as a three-dimensional structure.

Further, the sea and the sailboats in the background, and the row of houses and the like spreading in front of the old man and others are not three-dimensionally represented by further steps, but the step is bravely given only to the first layer 30 and the second layer 32. In this case, as compared with the case where a three-dimensional structure is further provided, the step between the first layer 30 and the second layer 32 can be recognized much earlier in the course of the parallel processing inside the brain.

As a result, the picture display object of the present embodiment can allow a wider space to be felt as a whole, and an aspect of the old man looking at the distant sea together with the child and the dog can be given a strong three-dimensional feeling.

Now, in the present embodiment, the facts that the peripheral edge portion of the first layer 30 may not be transparent, that the thickness of the first layer 30 and the second layer 32 is not limited to 3 mm, that the image of each layer can be given by pasting a sheet, and that the image of each layer may not be accompanied with perspective, and that the contour of each layer is not required to conform to the contour of the physical object in the whole periphery are the same as the case of the above described first embodiment.

Further, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments, but variations and modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.

By being applied to the photograph and some of the paintings, the picture display object of the present invention can be not only decorated in the picture frame, but also can be displayed in an open manner on the table, and can strengthen the impression emanated by the photograph and the painting, and makes it possible to increase the evoked memory and to enhance a healing effect. Particularly, the painting of the realistic school as represented by Norman Rockwell realizes an extremely great effect by the present invention since the painting technique such as the deformation and the like of the image is not strong. 

1. A picture display object made of two or three transparent parallel layers having flat surfaces, wherein the thickness of each layer is 2 mm or more and a part of the upper layer is scraped so as to form a three-dimensional structure on the adjacent under layer, and wherein the surface of each layer is printed with the image of a painting, a photograph, and the like or pasted with a printed sheet.
 2. A picture display object, comprising: a first layer made of a flat plate having an image of a painting or a photograph provided on an exposed portion of the surface thereof; and a second layer disposed over a part of said first layer, and having the image of the painting or the photograph provided on the exposed portion of the surface thereof, and further, having a contour conforming to at least a part of a contour of an object included in the painting or the photograph, and made of a transparent flat plate whose peripheral edge portion is transparent.
 3. The picture display object according to claim 2, comprising a third layer disposed over the part of the second layer, and having the image of the painting or the photograph provided on the exposed portion of the surface thereof, and further, having a contour conforming to at least a part of a contour of an object included in the painting or the photograph, and made of a flat plate whose peripheral edge portion is transparent.
 4. The picture display object according to claim 2, wherein said first layer is made of a transparent flat plate whose peripheral edge portion is transparent.
 5. The picture display object according to claims 2, wherein the thickness of peripheral edge portion of each layer is 2 mm or more and 5 mm or less.
 6. The picture display object according to claims 2, wherein the image provided on each layer forms an unified composition as a whole, and wherein, an object to be drawn at the distance in said unified composition is provided on a lower side layer, and an object to be drawn near is provided on an upper side layer. 